Student residences

All AUC students are housed in one of three buildings in a single purpose-built complex on the Carolina MacGillavrylaan in Amsterdam Science Park, located in the Amsterdam East (Amsterdam-Oost) neighbourhood of the city. The modern student residences are owned and run by housing association DUWO.

Guaranteed on-campus housing

AUC guarantees accommodation for all of its students - which is a huge benefit, as it can be very difficult to find somewhere to live in Amsterdam. All AUC students are expected to live in the student residences throughout their studies, so that their time at AUC becomes a true intercultural and social learning experience. The residential aspect of the international campus is an important part of life at AUC. You will be able to cooperate and discuss issues with fellow students and lecturers both during and after class hours, and engage in various social and cultural activities with fellow students.

Outside of the residences on the Carolina MacGillavrylaan

Room selection procedure

If you are offered a admission to AUC and you accept it, you will be placed on the list to pick your preferred room in the DUWO room selection system in May. All rooms that become available over the summer are listed in the system and you will be able to view the room size, address, type of unit and rental price. In most cases, there will also be a floor plan available. It is not possible to allocate single units to all students in the first year. However, at the end of your first academic year at AUC, you will be allowed to switch rooms before the new students move in. This ensures that most students get their room of preference by the end of their first year. Please note that shared units are always single gender and not co-ed.

Single and shared modern units

The accommodation in the student residences is a mixture of single units (one student) and shared units (two or four students). Some shared units are two- or three-room apartments, others are large open-plan spaces. All units have a kitchen corner and their own bathroom (toilet and shower). There is a small laundrette on the ground floor of the middle block of the residences, accessible only to residents. You need to top up a laundry card from DUWO in order to use the machines; detergent and fabric softener are included in the price and automatically supplied.

Costs

You will sign a tenancy agreement with DUWO and rent your accommodation directly from them for the duration of your studies at AUC.

Rent

Generally speaking, shared units in the student residences are the cheapest, and single units are more expensive. If you live in a single unit, it will typically cost an estimated EUR 4344 to EUR 4644 per year (or EUR 362 to EUR 387 per month), including rent/service costs and municipal taxes. This is calculated under the assumption that you will receive a rent benefit (huurtoeslag). Without a rent benefit, a single unit in the AUC student residences typically costs between EUR 500 and EUR 525 per month.

The rent for a two-person shared room is typically between EUR 330 and EUR 390 per month. For a four-person shared room (two bedrooms, two people per room with a large shared living room) , the costs are typically between EUR 235 and EUR 270 per month.

The rent includes an advance towards service costs, e.g. your utilities such as electricity and water (collective and individual), cleaning of public spaces, rubbish collection, and contents insurance. Each year DUWO will calculate your actual service costs: if you have paid too much, you will get a refund. If you have paid too little, you will be charged the difference.

Internet, telephone and television

Starting in April 2017, internet and television are automatically arranged for each unit, at a flat rate of EUR 13,50 per month, which is added to your utility bill.

Municipal taxes

You also have to pay the municipal taxes for your unit. These are currently around EUR 398 per year for a one-person household. Students with a low income are eligible to have these fees waived.

Self-furnished rooms

The units are decorated and equipped with a floor-covering and curtains, but they are not furnished. You will therefore need to supply your own furniture, kitchen equipment/appliances and any other home goods you may need. All the units are centrally heated (underfloor heating).

Please note, all student rooms shown have been furnished with items that students have purchased themselves. Your room will not have furniture in it upon arrival (click on the photo to open the slideshow).

Click on the photo to open the slideshow and view examples of AUC students rooms: single and shared units with furniture students have acquired themselves.

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Your corridor and 'stringmates'

Each corridor in the residences is divided into separate ‘strings' of around 10 to 15 units each. Many of the strings have a shared living-room, where you can get together with your ‘stringmates'. Every string also has a secure storage space for bicycles. The residences all have inner courtyards and spacious balconies or loggias, where you can go to relax in the sunshine and enjoy some fresh air.

Sports facilities

The University Sports Centre (USC) has a large branch located in Amsterdam Science Park. Additional sport facilities are within easy reach (ice skating rink, swimming pool, etc.).

Public transport connections on campus

Science Park also has good public transport connections, particularly Bus 40 that stops near the student residences and runs between Amstel Station and Muiderpoort Station (to get into the city centre). Science Park also has its own railway station, which will take you to Amsterdam Central Station in around 10 minutes.

Convenience stores and shopping

In addition to the Spar grocery store on campus, you can also go to the nearby Molukkenstraat, or travel a little further to the Middenweg and Linnaeusstraat, where you will find a variety of grocery stores/markets, cafés and other practical stores nearby. For Do-It-Yourself, there are Praxis, Big Bazar and Xenos shops close by. The city centre is only a short bike ride or bus/tram trip away.

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More than a degree

I chose AUC because I wanted an education rather than just a degree. AUC offers me a programme that stimulates development on both a personal and academic level, and which gives me the chance to explore, to question and to challenge myself.